October 27, 2009, 2:26 pm
The National Park Service wants to poison trout in some
high-country lakes and streams to save a native species of frog. But
some outdoor and environmental groups are worried.
The trout
were planted years ago by wildlife agencies in the Sequoia and Kings
Canyon national parks. They eat mountain yellow-legged frogs,
contributing to a 90% decline in the species throughout the Sierra.
A
preliminary project to eradicate trout from 11 lakes in the two parks
since 2001 has yielded dramatic results: Yellow-legged frogs have made
spectacular rebounds at these lakes.
Now National Park Service
officials want to broaden the campaign throughout the two parks --
while leaving the fish in many lakes that are popular with anglers.
Removing
the non-native trout does more than help the frog, park officials say.
It also brings back other animals up and down the food chain that are
eaten by or compete with the fish, including insects, reptiles, birds
and even coyotes.
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